Wright Products - Serenade Mortise Keyed Lever Mount Latch with Deadbolt for Screen and Storm Doors, Polished Brass

I installed the Wright mortise lever set to rescue a tired, full-view storm door that still had good bones but a failing latch and corroded exterior trim. The result was a meaningful upgrade in both function and finish, with a few installation quirks worth noting for anyone tackling a retrofit on an older door.

What it is and who it’s for

This is a mortise-style keyed lever set with an integrated deadbolt designed specifically for out-swinging storm and screen doors between 1-1/8 and 2 inches thick. It’s non-handed, comes with all hardware, and offers an adjustable backset (3/4 or 1 inch), which covers the most common mortise patterns used in storm doors. If you want to keep an otherwise solid storm door in service, or you want a keyed deadbolt on a storm/screen door without resorting to a surface-mount latch, this is a smart direction.

The polished brass finish reads classic rather than flashy. Interior and exterior trim match, so you don’t have to chase a second finish for the inside panel.

Installation experience

I installed the set on an aluminum, out-swinging, full-view storm door with a mortise pocket already cut into the door’s edge. The door’s original hardware was a mortise latch with a separate deadbolt; the Wright unit combines those into one mechanism.

• Backset and thickness: Selecting between the 3/4 and 1-inch backset was straightforward. I measured from the door edge to the spindle centerline, set the internal mechanism accordingly, and chose the appropriate spindle and screw lengths from what’s included. There are multiple screw lengths and two spindles in the box; you’ll only use one set based on your door thickness.
• Through-holes and trim plate: The exterior faceplate is a single-piece design that’s a bit longer than the trim it replaced. That meant enlarging one existing through-hole slightly and drilling one new through-hole to capture the plate’s lower post. The trim covers everything, so the final look is clean and cohesive.
• Mortise pocket fit: The mechanism dropped into the existing pocket, but I did need to square up the lower rounded corner of the pocket with a file to get perfect alignment with the through-bolts. This took a couple of minutes and improved the way the latch sits relative to the trim.
• Strike plate: The included strike is fine, but I reused the door frame’s existing strike after opening the latch window by a hair to give the latch and deadbolt more clearance. If your latch doesn’t seat crisply, a small adjustment here pays dividends in how the door closes.
• Instructions: The instructions are mostly pictorial. They cover the sequence, but they’re light on callouts for the alternate screw and spindle options. Once you understand that Step 1 is choosing the correct hardware for your door thickness, the rest goes smoothly. A printed template would make this even friendlier.

Plan on basic tools: drill/driver with metal bits, a small file or Dremel, a Phillips screwdriver, and a square. From unboxing to final tweak, I spent about an hour including careful marking and fitting.

Fit, finish, and ergonomics

The lever shape is comfortable and provides enough purchase to retract the latch without feeling flexy or springy. The return spring in the mechanism is positive; the handle comes back to horizontal reliably with no sag. The polished brass finish is even across the interior and exterior trim and the lever itself. It does show fingerprints, as polished brass does, but it wipes clean easily with a microfiber cloth.

The single-piece exterior faceplate gives the door a tidy, almost OEM look. From a few feet away, you’d think it came that way from the factory. Inside, the matching trim avoids the mismatched “storm door inside” look you sometimes get when you pair an aftermarket exterior plate with a different interior escutcheon.

Operation and everyday use

After install, the difference in how the door closes is obvious. The latch action is snappy and quiet; there’s a crisp click as it seats into the strike without the rattly “bounce” I was getting from worn hardware. The lever throw is smooth in both directions thanks to the included low-friction washers. I like that the latch nose has a subtle bevel that helps it find the strike even if the door isn’t aligned perfectly.

The integrated deadbolt throws cleanly and has enough projection for a storm door application. As always with deadbolts on lightweight doors, alignment matters; once the strike window was tuned, there was no binding and the thumb-turn and key cylinder both felt secure. The set includes two keys out of the box.

Security and keying

For a storm/screen door, the integrated keyed deadbolt is the right level of security. It’s not a substitute for a primary entry deadbolt in a solid core door, but it keeps the storm door positively locked and discourages casual tampering. The big convenience point is that the cylinder is rekeyable to Schlage. I had my locksmith pin it to match an existing Schlage keyway; it’s a standard task and took only a few minutes. If you’re standardizing keys across an entry set and storm door, this is a nice touch.

Compatibility notes

• Door hand: The non-handed design truly doesn’t care whether your door is left- or right-swinging, which is helpful if you’re outfitting multiple doors or moving hardware from one opening to another.
• Door thickness: The hardware range (1-1/8 to 2 inches) is generous. I set it up for a 1-5/8-inch door and still had clear guidance on which screw set and spindle to use.
• Mortise pattern: It’s billed as a replacement for most mortise-style storm door locks, and that squares with my experience. Expect to drill at least one new through-hole or lightly adjust the mortise pocket on older or brand-specific cutouts. The trim generally covers old holes.

If you’re hoping for a zero-drill, drop-in swap for a proprietary OEM system, you may get lucky—but budget for minor modifications and you’ll be happier with the outcome.

Quirks and limitations

• Documentation: The pictorial instructions get you there, but they’re terse. First-time installers might wish for clearer labeling of which screws and spindle to pick for each door thickness. Lay everything out before you start and dry-fit to confirm.
• Backset range: The adjustable backset covers 3/4 and 1 inch, which is appropriate for storm doors. If your door’s mortise was cut for something outside that range, this won’t solve it.
• Finish care: Polished brass looks best with occasional upkeep. If you’re in a coastal environment or prefer a finish that hides fingerprints and micro-scratches, consider that this version is polished, not satin.

Value

Compared with OEM replacement kits from door manufacturers, this set represents strong value. You get a solid-feeling mechanism, a proper keyed deadbolt, all the mounting hardware for common door thicknesses, and the ability to rekey to Schlage—without paying a premium for a brand-specific part. The faceplate’s one-piece design elevates the look over many generic replacements.

Tips for a smooth install

• Measure the backset from the door edge to the spindle centerline before you start; set the mechanism accordingly.
• Choose the right screw lengths and spindle for your door thickness in Step 1 and set aside the rest so they don’t cause confusion.
• Dry-fit the interior and exterior plates with the mechanism in the pocket before drilling any new through-holes.
• If the latch doesn’t seat perfectly, adjust the strike before you start grinding on the mechanism. A millimeter of movement can make a big difference.
• Deburr any freshly drilled holes; it helps the trim sit flush and prevents paint chipping around the edges.

Bottom line

I found the Wright mortise lever set to be a well-executed upgrade for aging storm and screen doors. Installation is approachable for a handy homeowner, the operation is smooth and confidence-inspiring, and the finished look reads like a factory install. The non-handed design and adjustable backset make it broadly compatible, and the option to rekey to Schlage simplifies key management.

Recommendation: I recommend this lockset for anyone refurbishing an out-swinging storm or screen door within the supported thickness range who wants a keyed deadbolt and a cleaner, sturdier feel than typical OEM hardware. Be prepared for minor drilling or pocket cleanup on older doors and set aside a bit of extra time for careful measuring and dry-fitting. If you need a truly drop-in replacement for a proprietary pattern or want a finish that hides wear, plan accordingly. Otherwise, this is a satisfying, reliable upgrade that restores both function and appearance.